LeetCode 3314 | Minimum Bitwise Array (20-01-2026) | Explained Simply

🚀 LeetCode 3314 – Minimum Bitwise Array | Explained Simply In this problem, we are given a list of integers and our goal is to build a **Minimum Bitwise Array** based on a special bitwise rule. For each number, we must determine the **smallest possible non-negative integer** that satisfies the given condition using **bit manipulation**. ### 🧩 Key Insights You Need to Know: * 🔹 **Even numbers** immediately fail the condition → answer is **`-1`** * 🔹 **Odd numbers** always have a solution, and it can be found by smartly tweaking their binary form * 🔹 The trick lies in identifying and flipping the **rightmost unset bit** ### 🛠️ Core Idea: * Iterate through each number in the list * If the number is **odd**, apply a clever combination of bitwise operations (`&`, `~`, shifts) * If the number is **even**, directly store `-1` * This results in an efficient and elegant solution ### ⚡ Why This Problem Is Awesome: * Builds strong intuition for **bitwise operations** * Improves **binary representation thinking** * Frequently asked in **technical interviews** * Solved in **O(n) time** with constant extra space ### 🎯 Perfect For: * Interview preparation * Competitive programming * Mastering bit manipulation tricks If you like problems that look tricky but have a **clean and powerful solution**, this one is definitely worth your time! 🔥 Don’t forget to **like, share, and subscribe** for more LeetCode explanations 🚀